Daringbadi
Image Source: daringbadi.org
Odisha is well-known for not only its history and culture but also for its natural beauty. The hidden jewel Daringbadi, affectionately known as the "Kashmir of Odisha" is a unique blend of cultural, tribal, and natural tourism. It's a hill station positioned at 3,000 feet above sea level with a climate that's uncannily similar to Kashmir's. The hill stations of Phulbani which are adorned with pine woods and waterfalls are popular holiday spots in the state. For tourists Daringbadi Nature Camp and Belghar Nature Camp provide lodging choices. This region has one of India's oldest tribes the Kutia Kondhas is a magical escape for people looking for a break from ordinary city life surrounded by breathtaking valleys and plateaus and dotted with coffee and pepper gardens. Daringbadi was called after Daring Sahib, the British official in charge of the place at the time. River Doluri and its small waterfalls are paradise in the monsoon.
Belghar village is a well-known eco-village around the world surrounded by thick forests and mountains famous for paragliding, hill point view and Belghar sanctuary for elephants and meet the Bonda tribe.
Best time to visit- December - February
Transport facilities-
Airport - Bhubaneswar - 246 kms
Railway Station - Berhampur -120 Kms
Activities- Trekking, paragliding, bird watching, safari, meeting tribals and camping
Deomali
Image Source: Triporissa
The stunning view of the Eastern Ghats from a small mountain summit in Odisha has piqued the interest of nature enthusiasts and photographers. Deomali is an untouched treasure in the Chandragiri-Pottangi sub-range of the Eastern Ghats known to be Odisha's highest peak. It is located at an elevation of 1,672m in the Koraput district in southern Odisha. The summit is surrounded by a dense green forest and is abundant in flora and fauna. This area which alternates between steep mountains and grassy plains provides a diverse landscape. Kandhas, Parajas, Bhumias, Malis and Bhotias tribes dwell in Deomali.
Best time to visit - August - February
Transport facilities
Airport - Visakhapatnam - 158 kms
Railway Station - Koraput Railway Station - 60 Kms
Activities- Trekking, meeting the tribes and star gazing.
Chandragiri
Image Source: Flickr.com
Popularly known as Mini Tibet, Chandragiri is situated in a picturesque valley in the Gajapati district of Odisha and known for its Tibetan population and Buddhist monastery. Padmasambhava Mahavihara Monastery was inaugurated by Dalai Lama and is the largest Buddist Monastery of Eastern India. This region is blessed with natural bounty which is known for seasonal fruits, Tibetan woolen clothing, carpets, and different dog breeds. It's an ideal abode for tourists because of its uncommon breathtaking and attractive setting surrounded by lush tropical forest, babbling rivers and magnificent mountain slopes.
Best time to visit - October - March.
Transport facilities -
Airport - Bhubaneswar - 254 Kms
Railway Station - Berhampur - 81 Kms
Activities - Trekking, visit monastery and star gazing.
Mahendragiri
Image Source: Odisha Visit
The spiritual and mythological significance of Mahendragiri is immense. It is a Mahashivratri pilgrimage site that attracts thousands of people each year. In the Mahabharata epic it was delineated that Sage Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu spent his life here meditating for amendment of his sin of murdering the Kshatriyas in 21 rounds. The Antiquate Monument Archaeological Remains and Sites Act of 1958 designates the temple constructions as protected monuments which are believed to be built by Pandavas. With 4,925 feet of elevation Mahendragiri a section of the Eastern Ghats is the second-highest point in Odisha located in the Parlakhemundi subdivision of the Gajapati district. Due to its vast floral and faunal diversity it is known as a herpetofauna hotspot and was designated as a Biosphere Reserve in 2014.
Best time to visit - October - March
Transport facilities-
Airport - Bhubaneswar - 173 Kms
Railway Station - Berhampur - 85 Kms
Activities- Trekking, camping, temples and star gazing.
Malayagiri
The gleaming waterfall Khuludi pours over this mountain range which constitutes Odisha's third-highest peak. Trekkers have been enchanted by the mystic summit that rises so gorgeously at a height of roughly 1187 meters. It is located near Pal Lahara town in the Angul district of Odisha under the subrange of the Garhjat Range. It is covered beautifully with a number of low-lying hills, plateaus, valleys and meadows.
Best time to visit - October - March
Transport facilities -
Airport - Bhubaneswar - 183.7 km
Railway Station - Angul - 97.8 kms
Activities - Trekking, waterfall visit and camping
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